The Office Conversations: Why Home Cleaners Are Always a Hot Topic

Ask any of my colleagues, and they’ll tell you that the topic of home cleaners comes up a lot in our office conversations. It mostly revolves around me complaining about how hard it is to find a good one, the insane cost, cleaners getting “too relaxed” and not doing their job properly, and occasionally, the awkward encounters that come with hiring someone to clean your home.

But amid all these venting sessions, have we ever stopped to think about what cleaners might be saying about us? After all, while we’re busy sharing our horror stories about unreliable cleaners, there’s a good chance they’re swapping stories about us too.

A recent TikTok video brought this harsh reality to light, and I must admit, I wasn’t fully prepared for the awakening it brought. Turns out, I’ve been guilty of a lot of the red flags cleaners dread.

The Awkward Truth Revealed: What Cleaners Really Think

Liv Bibb, a professional self-employed cleaner who shares her best tips and hacks on TikTok, created a video that has gone viral, tipping over 716K views. In it, she reveals the “red flags” she and other cleaners often encounter in potential clients—behaviors or habits that make them run for the hills faster than you can say, “You missed a spot…”

The video is both humorous and eye-opening, shedding light on the unspoken frustrations cleaners face when dealing with certain clients. It’s a wake-up call for all of us who hire home cleaners, forcing us to reflect on our own behaviors and how they might be perceived.

So, let’s dive into the red flags Bibb shared and see if any of them sound a little too familiar.

Red Flag #1: The People Who Hide Stuff

Bibb starts by calling out a sneaky tactic some clients use: hiding random items around the house as bait to test whether the cleaner will take them or miss cleaning around them. She reveals that cleaners are completely onto this trick.

“People straight up hide cotton buds on top of door frames,” she shares with a laugh. But here’s the kicker: Bibb doesn’t just ignore the bait—she plays along in her own sneaky way. “Girls, I’ll do it back,” she jokes. “Let’s play a game.”

It’s a clever way of telling clients that cleaners are smarter than you think. So next time you’re tempted to test your cleaner with a “lost” item, remember: they’re probably one step ahead.

Red Flag #2: The Micromanagers Who Follow You Around the House

Imagine this: you’re trying to do your job, but someone is hovering over you, watching your every move to ensure you’re doing everything to their liking. Sounds exhausting, right? That’s exactly how cleaners feel when clients follow them around the house like a shadow.

Bibb makes it clear that she detests micromanagers. “Get out [of] my perimeter and let me do my thing,” she says jokingly. “I’ll chase you with the Henry Hoover pole.” While she delivered the line with humor, it’s a stark reminder that cleaners value their independence and trust when it comes to getting the job done.

So, if you’re hiring a cleaner, give them space. They know what they’re doing, and unless they’re breaking something (which is rare if they’re professionals), step back and let them work their magic.

Red Flag #3: Clients Who Call You “The Cleaner”

This one’s a biggie. Bibb points out that being referred to as “the cleaner” is not just unprofessional—it’s offensive. It strips cleaners of their humanity and reduces them to their job title, which is disrespectful.

“Would you like to see my birth certificate or are we going to establish some respect?” Bibb asks, sarcasm dripping from her words. It’s a fair point. After all, you wouldn’t call your therapist “the therapist” or your mechanic “the mechanic” in a condescending way. So why treat cleaners any differently?

The takeaway? Treat your cleaner like the professional they are, and always address them with respect. Learn their name and use it—it’s a simple way to show you value them as a person, not just their service.

Red Flag #4: Clients Who Pay Late

Let’s talk about money. Bibb makes it clear that clients who pay late are a major red flag. If you want a job done, expect to pay on time. It’s a basic courtesy that’s all too often overlooked.

In her video, Bibb specifically calls out clients who pay four days late. For her, it’s a dealbreaker—one that keeps them off her books. And honestly, who can blame her? Late payments are unprofessional and disrespectful, especially for hardworking cleaners who rely on timely compensation for their services.

So, if you’re hiring a cleaner, make sure you’re ready to pay on time. It’s not just about the money—it’s about respect.

Red Flags #5 and #6: Clients Who Complain About Past Cleaners and Claim They Can Clean Faster

Bibb’s video ends with two final red flags that hit a little too close to home for some of us.

First, there’s the classic line: “I’ve had so many cleaners before, and none of them were any good.” Bibb’s response? “Yes, I’m sensing why.” Ouch. It’s a subtle way of saying that maybe the problem isn’t the cleaners—it’s the client.

Then there’s the client who claims they can clean their house faster and better than the cleaner. Bibb calls out anyone who thinks they can clean a five-bedroom, four-bathroom house in two hours. “On you go then, show me girl,” she jokes. But she’s quick to clarify: “Minimum 45 minutes per room, especially bathrooms. Deep cleans can literally take 8 hours.”

It’s a reminder that cleaning is hard work, and professionals know what they’re doing. So, the next time you’re tempted to undermine your cleaner’s skills or complain about past experiences, take a step back. You might just find that the problem lies closer to home.

The Final Takeaway: Striking a Balance

The reaction to Bibb’s video has been mixed. While some viewers defended the practice of hiding items as a way to ensure their cleaner is being thorough, others were genuinely confused about why it’s offensive to call someone “the cleaner.” But what’s clear is that the video struck a nerve, forcing both clients and cleaners to reflect on their behaviors.

At the end of the day, hiring a cleaner is a two-way street. It’s about building trust, respect, and mutual understanding. So, if you’re guilty of any of these red flags, take this as an opportunity to do better. And if you’re a cleaner, know that your hard work and professionalism are appreciated—even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

Are you guilty of any of these red flags? Let’s be honest. We’ve all got room to grow, whether we’re on the hiring side or the cleaning side. So, let’s strive to do better, one cleaning session at a time.